Save Your Relationships with Mediation or Divorce Like a Pro (February 2023)

Debra Whitson is a New York-based attorney, former prosecutor,
family law mediator, and author of Divorce Like a Pro. In this
conversation, she shares how mediation offers a healthier
alternative to courtroom battles—and why divorce doesn’t have to
destroy families. With decades of experience, Debra helps clients
find clarity, peace, and dignity in even the most difficult
transitions.



LAWYER SIDE HUSTLES


Debra’s side hustle became a calling: she wrote Divorce Like a
Pro to provide an accessible, empowering guide for anyone going
through separation or family breakdown. The book distills her
real-world experience into practical advice and it’s a resource
she wishes more people had earlier.
“I wrote the book because I found myself saying the same things
over and over again to clients… there are better ways.,” shares
Debra Whitson in Episode 75 of You Are a Lawyer.

When she’s not running her practice or writing, Debra is a global
advocate for women’s rights through Zonta International. Her
passion for service, travel, and equity informs her entire
professional ethos, from her client relationships to her vision
of justice.





LISTEN TO LEARN


Why courtroom litigation often makes family issues worse, not
better

How mediation can lead to reconciliation

The biggest myths Debra wants to debunk about divorce and
conflict






WE ALSO DISCUSS


Debra’s early career as a prosecutor and what pushed her to
shift paths

Her book Divorce Like a Pro and why she felt called to write
it

How international travel and service work shaped her career
and values